Labor Day...Holiday?!?

Well, I hope everyone has a great holiday weekend by enjoying a holiday that celebrates working by not working! (I know...I don't get it either...). Be safe, have fun, and praise God for a time of relaxation!

Symbolism Or Mere Coincidence?

In Genesis 50:1-14, we see where the embalmed body of Jacob was taken from Egypt to Hebron for burial. Probably due to the hostility of Philistine and Amorite tribes, the direct route ("Way To The Land Of The Philistines" or "Way Of The Sea") was avoided. The funeral procession passed around the southern end of the Dead Sea, through the land of Moab, and crossed the Jordan at Abel-mizraim opposite Jericho. Now, is this a forerunner of what the nation of Israel would do in a few centuries (entering into the Promised Land, etc.) or is it a coincidence? Maybe...maybe not.

"You're In Good Hands With Jesus"

Yes, I know I'm ripping Allstate off (but parodies are legal!), but the above statement is true! That is why I've entitled my Sunday morning sermon "You're In Good Hands With Jesus" (taken from Hebrews 10). I hope and pray that this coming Sunday will be a time to not necessarily "disciple" us but to glorify God. I'm afraid sometimes I tend to preach to much on the discipleship part (which is definitely needed!), and neglect the pure glorification of God. So, pray for me and Ebenezer as we try to praise God through His Word this coming weekend.

Praise The Lord!

One of our missionaries in India (name withheld for his safety...if you want to know who I'm talking about, email me at mattg@ebenezermbc.com) went through a tough day and a half this weekend. As many of you know, there were two bombs that exploded in India and approximately 23 more that did not detonate. In fact, one of these bombs greatly affected this brother (once again, email me and I'll explain), however, God was watching over him. While, I think it is wise to keep much of his personal information off the "net," I do ask that you pray for this missionary. Pray that God might continue to bless his work and use him in a mighty way. And yes, praise God for the protection given to this brother.

What A Milestone!

This little blog has now reached an important milestone - 100 posts! Now that may not seem much to you, but for a guy that only posts 3-4 times a week, it is awesome! So go ahead, browse through the other posts, and I'll "see" you next week.

The Passing Of A Saint

Bro. Albert Garner passed away earlier today. The funeral will be Saturday, 10 am at Roanoke Baptist Church in Plant City, Florida. Please remember his family in your prayers, and praise God for the promotion of this godly man.

Missing Person

Many of you already know this, but please remember my uncle and aunt, Robert & Kim Vaughn, in your prayers. Kim's mother went missing about 2 months ago, and they have not found her yet. So, please check out the links and article that was posted on Robert's blog (I have included it below too for your convenience). And keep praying for this family!

Eight weeks
"Today my mother-in-law has been missing eight weeks. I want to thank everyone for your thoughts, prayers, well-wishes, moral support -- whatever God has blessed you to do. Thank you.Kelly Jolkowski of Project Jason (and mother of missing person Jason Jolkowski) has written a nice article titled Aging Persons with Alzheimer’s and Dementia Increase Missing Person Statistics. It is to be published in the September issue of the trucking magazine Through the Gears. Kelly interweaves the stories of Byron Freeman and Shirley Hunt with a world of information about Alzheimer's, missing persons, search and rescue, etc. You might want to look for it if you're in a truck stop. You can find it among free truckers' publications. It will also appear on the Project Jason website on September 1st (d.v.)."

A New Record!

Who would have thought that we would ever see the Rangers set any kind of baseball record (well, except for maybe bad ones)? But to score 30 points, a feat which has not been done in baseball in over 100 years, is incredible! Congratulations Rangers! You're doing just enough to keep me hanging on...

[Here is an article from www.texasrangers.com for all you baseball fans]

BALTIMORE -- Through baseball's storied past, things seem to happen every so often that are borderline unexplainable, that only numbers can put into perspective, and that leave even the most well-spoken players speechless.
"We were just out there shaking our heads," center field Marlon Byrd said. "No one has seen that before and you won't see it again."
Texas scored 30 runs in a 30-3 drubbing of the Orioles on Wednesday, the most ever by an American League team and second to only to the Chicago Colts' 36-run performance in 1897.
Both Texas and Baltimore set new franchise records for runs scored and runs allowed, respectively, and the Rangers also set a new all-time mark with 29 hits in the game.
"It was great to be a part of," said third baseman Travis Metcalf, who was called up from Triple-A Oklahoma before the game. "It was amazing in capital letters."
The ridiculous numbers posted by the Texas lineup are almost unbelievable. Metcalf and Byrd both hit grand slams to mark just the second time in franchise history the team has hit two in the same game, and the Rangers finished with six home runs. Every Rangers' starter had at least one hit and scored at least one run, and eight of the nine ended up with at least one RBI.
Both the eighth and ninth hitters in the order, infielder Ramon Vazquez and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, notched two homers and seven RBIs. The last time two players had seven RBIs in the same game was when the New York Yankees faced the Kansas City A's in 1962, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The two batters? Yankee greats Elston Howard and Mickey Mantle.
"It was unbelievable," Saltalamacchia said. "That was ridiculous. I've never been in a game like that in my life. It was one of those things. We were just seeing the ball and hitting the ball. You can't help but laugh. It's nothing they did. It's not like they made a lot of errors. It was just ridiculous. Everybody is going to remember it."
For the Orioles, the numbers game wasn't as fun. Reliever Brian Burres couldn't even finish one inning, as he surrendered eight runs on eight hits and saw his ERA jump from 4.45 to 5.24. Paul Shuey was beckoned to finish the game, and Texas continued its pounding. He threw two innings and gave up nine runs to watch his ERA skyrocket from 6.75 to 9.49.
"You have to have a real short memory and you let it go," Baltimore manager Dave Trembley said after the rout.
For Baltimore fans, however, the loss isn't as easily forgettable. Dave Murray, 72, has been a season ticket holder for more than 20 years, and said he goes to about 65 Orioles games every season. He keeps meticulous scorecards for each one, but said he's hanging onto his sheet commemorating Wednesday's game.
"It's unbelievable," Murray said from his perch 18 rows behind home plate. "I come every night, and just about every night I see something different. But this was crazy."
To add to the rarity of the occurrence, after a 30-minute hiatus in their respective clubhouses, the teams had to return to the field, as the 30-3 contest was the first game of a doubleheader.
The Rangers' previous record for runs scored in both games of a twin bill was 21, which, of course, they didn't need to worry about by the time the second game rolled around.
"It was awesome," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "The whole offense just came to life. I've never seen anything like it. I was hoping we would open up offensively, but I wasn't expecting anything like that."
To make sure the magnitude of Wednesday's record-breaking explosion hits home, peruse these staggering statistics:
• The Orioles' National Football League counterpart, the Ravens, haven't given up 30 points in a game since 2005.
• Baltimore ace Erik Bedard has allowed only 31 runs in his last 17 starts dating back to May 25.
• Texas scored more runs Wednesday than it had in its previous nine contests combined.
• Baltimore set a new franchise record for margin of defeat by ending in a 27-run deficit. The previous mark was a 19-run defeat in 1996, also at the hands of the Rangers.
• Even with a huge margin of victory, Wes Littleton earned his first save of the season by throwing three innings in relief.
• Texas starter Kason Gabbard, who pitched his fifth game with the Rangers after being traded from Boston before the trade deadline, saw his run support jump from 3.66 to 7.85 with his new team.
• The Rangers entered the game with the third-worst team batting average in the American League, but saw it jump five points to .258.
• The NFL's Houston Texans have scored at least 30 points only three times in the team's five-year existence.
• Texas had 57 at-bats, tying the AL record for a nine-inning game set by Milwaukee in 1992.
• The Rangers are the first team with four players (Metcalf, Byrd, Saltalamacchia and Vazquez) to register four RBIs since the Phillies in 1979.
• This is the sixth time that a team has scored 9 or more runs in two different innings
• Metcalf's four RBIs were more than he had in 35 games this season
• Texas' 30 RBIs set the Major League record for a single game since 1920, when that statistic was first recorded.

Geremy Bass is an associate reporter for MLB.com.

Something Beautiful by the Newsboys

Turn up your speakers and enjoy!

Is It Lawful?

I have recently researched a plethora of subjects and realized that while there are many straightforward teachings in the Bible, there are just as many areas that are either misunderstood by us or limited in information. (Just look at the previous posts!) So, now we come to the issue at hand - tithing. Tithing is taught by many to be an Old Testament decree that falls under the Law, and, therefore, it is no longer to be taught. Such teachings now emphasize the giving of offerings. There is of course the other side that teaches tithing is not just an Old Testament decree that falls under the Law but a directive that stands alone (before and after the Law). They of course also teach offerings but such offerings are in addition to tithes. Now, there are probably variations of these two (and maybe some totally different teachings), but for sake of space, I will not try to worry about that. While I teach that tithing was demonstrated before the Law and not necessarily bound to the Law, it would be nice to receive some input from all of you (and you know who you are!!!) so that "iron might sharpen iron." So what about...is tithing lawful?!?

The Lord's Supper

Tonight, the members of Ebenezer Baptist Church observed the Lord's Supper, and it was very moving. We started our service at 6 pm with the lights dimmed and did not have the regular sermon before the Lord's Supper. Instead, I read a passage out of Luke concerning the observance of the Passover, etc. Then we went through the verses concerning the Lord's Supper as we observed this beautiful, picturesque ordinance. After having observed the Lord's Supper, we sang one verse of Amazing Grace and exited the building in total silence. When leaving, you could really feel the Spirit of God working on the people even though His Word had not been preached (yet, it had been in picture form).

Thank you God for a wonderful service and a great opportunity to remember the sacrifice that Christ freely made in our place.

Check This Post Out

Get Rid Of Church Members

Truth Or Dead?

To most Americans, questioning the truthfulness of another person's religious view is showing intolerance. While intolerance in the past dealt with bigotry or prejudice, the postmodern usage of the word has come to mean simply disagreeing with anyone else's beliefs. In other words, according to postmodernists, to question another's view is to invade and pillage a different cultural context - or a different "reality" - than our own. Strangely, though, postmodernists grant one exception to this universal prohibition against intolerance. They teach that it is okay to question and even denounce the religious views pejoratively labeled "fundamentalism." They argue that those they label fundamentalists are unacceptable because they subscribe to universal truth claims. {Excerpts taken from The Death Of Truth by Dennis McCallum.}

While I will not get into a debate concerning the "logic" (if that is what you want to call what postmodernists do...) that is used to defend such teachings, we, as believers, need to be aware that such thinking has permeated our society. In fact, many churches have fallen prey to such teachings. For example, many "Christians" think that it does not matter what you believe concerning salvation, just so long as you are sincere or a good person. Well, that is incorrect. After all, you can be "sincerely" wrong! The Bible does not allow for such ideas in the area of salvation. Jesus taught that salvation is through faith (repentance and belief/trust in Jesus Christ), and there is no other way. There are many other examples, but for the sake of time, I will not dare try to list them all. And while there are areas we have freedom to debate and strive to understand, there are certain universal truths that we cannot change, no matter how hard we try.

So, I say it's time we stop backpedaling and start fighting for the truth. We need to fight for the truth in our families, communities, and churches. We need to fight for the faith against such pompous teachings as that of postmodernism. We must fight the good fight and be found faithful. Yet, how do we fight the fight without being hypocritical and condemning? We love others as God loves them, sacrifice for others as Christ sacrificed for all, and be faithful to God's calling in our life.

Marriage, Divorce, And The Reconciliation / Discipline Dynamic

The following is an excerpt from The Christian Counselors Manual by Jay Adams (pgs. 60-62):

"...Let us consider the growing problem of divorce among Christians. This is a problem with which every Christian pastor increasingly will find himself confronted...however, the addition of one further factor...will enable the counselors to bring every case to a successful conclusion. This factor is the reconciliation / discipline dynamic.
The argument begins in I Corinthians 7...Paul has first reiterates Christ's word concerning two believers, namely that there is no reason short of adultery for dissolving their marriage (I Corinthians 7:10-11). But then he takes up another question about which the Lord did not speak directly while on earth (vs. 12). By the Spirit's inspiration the Lord's Word on that new matter is now about to be written by the apostle himself. That Word deals with the additional question of the marriage of a believer to an unbeliever. The believer is to continue the marriage if the unbeliever so desires. However, because his partner has now become a Christian, the unbeliever may no longer wish to continue living with him. In such cases the believer is to let him (or her) go (vs. 15). Whenever this happens, Paul says, the believer is no longer "in bondage" (vs. 15). Murray argues successfully that this means that the Christian is free of his marriage bonds, may obtain a divorce and remarry. [Footnote: The right of remarriage is inherent in the biblical concept of divorce (cf. Deuteronomy 24:1-2).]
The problem remains, however, as to what must be done when two professing Christians fail to keep their marriage together and reconciliation does not take place. Let us say that a husband who is a professing Christian refuses to be reconciled to his wife. Perhaps he has even left her. Reconciliation has been attempted by the wife. Perhaps he has even left her. Reconciliation has been attempted by the wife. If she continues to insist upon reconciliation (according to Matthew 18), but fails in her attempts at private confrontation, she must take one or two others from the church and confront her husband. Suppose she does and that he also refuses to hear them. In that case she is required to submit the problem officially to the church, which ultimately may be forced, by his adamant refusal to be reconciled, to excommunicate him for contumacy. Excommunication, Christ says, changes his status to that of a heathen and a publican, i.e., someone outside of the church (Matthew 18:17). Now he must be treated "as a heathen and a publican." That means, for instance, that after reasonable attempts to reconcile him to the church and to his wife, he may be taken to court (I Corinthians 6:1-8 forbids brethren to go to law against one another) to sue for a divorce (only, of course, if the excommunicated one deserts his partner).
By following the reconciliation dynamic, hopefully there will be reconciliation in most cases. Whenever the principles of biblical reconciliation are followed faithfully, discipline rarely reaches the highest level of excommunication. Most marriages not only can be saved, but by proper help may be changed radically for good. But in those few cases where reconciliation is refused, the believer who seeks it is not left in a state of limbo. He has a course of action to pursue, and if it leads to excommunication and desertion he is no longer obligated to remain married indefinitely. This is true only if the believer's marriage partner during the whole process of discipline has failed to demonstrate evidence of repentance and faith, if that partner has been excommunicated, and if he (or she) wishes to dissolve the marriage. Continued rejection of the help and authority of Christ and His church finally leads to excommunication.
An excommunicated party who continues to be unrepentant must be looked upon and treated as a heathen and publican. He shows no signs of a work of grace. When he has been put outside of the church and still evidences no signs of salvation, the believing partner may deal with him as an unbeliever. This means that if he leaves the believer under those circumstances, the latter is no longer under "bondage." The word in I Corinthians 7:21 ff. governing the relationship of a believer to an unbelieving marriage partner then comes into effect. By plugging in the reconciliation / discipline dynamic to the marriage-divorce-remarriage problem, the solution to ninety-nine percent of these cases that heretofore may have seemed unsolvable immediately may be seen. Most parties hopefully will come to reconciliation, but those who will not repent and be reconciled should be disciplined. Either way, matters are not left at loose ends."

Just A Question

Since I have several people that read this blog that are knowledgeable in the Scriptures, I would like to ask a question and see what you think. So here we go...

There is much debate concerning who the author of the book of Hebrews is. At this time, I hold to the traditional view (well, according to whom you ask) that Paul is the author of Hebrews. Who do you think is the author of Hebrews and why? I would really like to see if someone differs on this, or if you agree, why you believe Paul to be the author.

Happy Birthday Savannah!

Savannah is 8 today. She is so excited about her Luau party. The kids are going to swim (hopefully...there are rain clouds out there), eat "luau" food, play games, and of course have cake and open presents.

I'm so proud of Savannah. She is a child of God (almost a 1 year old there!), she is smart, pretty, funny, and of course, a daddy's girl. So, why is it that I'm somewhat sad? Probably because 8 years has gone by way too fast. I hope and pray that the next several years will be "slower," and I hope I'll be a better dad.

Anyway...

Happy Birthday Savannah!

Salvation is...

Salvation is by grace through faith based upon the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus took upon Himself the sins of all mankind in His death on the cross, and His resurrection from the dead provides the hope to all who believe. All who receive the Lord Jesus Christ through faith are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby become the children of God.

Here We Go Again...

Well, I have spent quite a bit of time studying the Calvinism-Arminianism debate and would like to report back to you.

The more I study Calvinism the more unbiblical it becomes to me. Calvinism and Scripture do not "line up." Calvinism is one man's (okay, two men...Augustine & Calvin) distorted view and misapplication of Scripture. However, don't think that I believe the Arminianists are 100% correct either. There are some problems they have concerning being biblical. So, here's my thoughts on the "TULIP."

Total Depravity - It's half-right according to the Bible.
Unconditional Election - Totally wrong according to the Bible.
Limited Atonement - Totally wrong according to the Bible.
Irresistable Grace - Totally wrong according to the Bible.
Perseverance Of The Saints - It's half-right according to the Bible.

Now, I know some of you will not understand exactly where I stand (especially when I say it's half-right). But, just so, I believe it is important for you to know that I cannot condone the Calvinistic view of salvation especially when it contradicts Scripture. Having said that, I do not condone the Arminian view of salvation because it also does not answer questions or it contradicts Scripture as well. So, why follow two men...who are after all men? Let's go by what the Bible says and not what some man has taught as systematic theology.

Welcome To "1984" In This "Brave New World"

What a crazy world in which we live, for we now are faced with crimes that are truly hateful. Before this "enlightened" period of human civilization, there were no hate crimes. You see, before now, when someone killed someone else, it was not in hate...it was just murder. Before now, when someone flushed someone else's book down the toilet, it was not in hate...you just didn't like the book. Before now, when someone beat someone else up, it was not in hate...you just didn't like the person. But fortunately now, we have people who are "enlightened" enough to realize that flushing the Quran (or Koran) is a hate "crime." And what a crime it is! I mean, stopping someone's toilet up is despicable. What if that person has irritable bowel syndrome and needs to use the restroom? What are they to do then? I'm so "glad" that we now have "laws" that protect people against "hate." In fact, those same laws protect me and my blog...don't they! So, if you don't like what I type, then obviously, you are "hating" on me and that's a crime! In fact, I'm going to call the police...so, don't go anywhere...they'll be here shortly to arrest you - you hate monger! Oh, and by the way, welcome to this "new brave world."